Women smarter?
The confident Sri Lanka women's cricket team will be out to thrash Pakistan
in a three match One Day series and a Test match
By Nilika de Silva
The Sri Lanka women's cricket team is set to play Pakistan in three One
Day Internationals and a Test match from December 18 to 31.
The first one day game will be played at Asgiriya on Dec. 26 while the
one day matches in Colombo will be played at the Colts Grounds on December
28 and 30.
The Test match will take place from Dec. 20 to Dec. 23rd at Colts.
The principle sponsor for the tour is Singer, while the co-sponsors
are Lanka Tiles, and United Motors.
The Kandy Municipal Sports Club is handling the One Day International
in Asgiriya, under the supervision of Mr. Harendra Dunuwila, Vice President
of the BCCSL. The Sri Lanka women's side which qualified for the finals
at the World Cup 2000 played in New Zealand has come forward as a force
to contend with in international womens cricket. Emerging last December
as a finalist at the World Cup 2000, Sri Lanka was right there with the
five big names in womens cricket: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa,
England, and India.
Having started women's cricket in a serious way in 1996, Sri Lanka has
already achieved Test status, and played in two World Cup tournaments in
1997 and 2000.
"It's a dream for me to take the Sri Lanka team across to Lord's and
play a few matches," President of the Womens Cricket Association of Sri
Lanka, Ms. Gwen Herat, a former Sri Lanka film star populary known as Aysha
Weerakone, told The Sunday Times hinting at things to come.
Five of the cricketers on the Sri Lanka womens side for the Pakistan
tour are those who represented SL at both the previous World Cups. These
include Ramani Perera, Suthershini Sivanantham, Chamani Seneviratne, Thanuja
Ekanayake and Hiruka Fernando.
The Sri Lankan side is captained by Suthershini Sivanantham, who was
vice captain at the World Cup 2000 in New Zealand, while Pakistan is captained
by Shaiza Khan.
Pakistan too is retaining most of the World Cup Players plus a few new
comers. In 1998 too the Pakistan women's team came to Sri Lanka and played
three ODIs and a Test match.
This time the Pakistan team is stronger, with new faces and promises
an exciting tour for the ardent cricket fans of Sri Lanka.
President of the Womens Cricket Association of Sri Lanka, Gwen Herat
expressed gratitude to the Pakistan team for having agreed to the tour
at short notice.
Busy preparing for the upcoming Pakistan tour, the Sri Lankan side is
facing changes as long time coach Guy de Alwis stepped down after the World
Cup 2000 and Coach Nihal Kodituwakku has taken over from him.
A very confident Captain, Suthershini said, "We are hoping to win all
the matches. The girls are very confident, and they are giving their full
potential to me," she said, speaking to the Sunday Times as the team practiced
at the indoor nets at the NCC.
Secretary, Women's Cricket Association of Sri Lanka, Ms. M.C. Munaweera,
was thankful to SSC and SL cricket foundation for the indoor nets.
Practice matches are lined up for the team as it prepares for the upcoming
tour. The team is scheduled to play a powerful under 17 boy's team from
Joseph Vaz College.
Calling for sponsors to come forward and give the boost to women's cricket
Founder President of the Association Ms. Herath stressed, "We need big
sponsors." On the cards is the next World Cup to take place in South Africa
2004.
Team
The Sri Lanka Team for the Pakistan tour comprises, Suthershini Sivanantham
(Captain), Chamani Seneviratne (Vice Captain), Ramani Perera (wicket keeper,
right arm leg spinner), Hiruka Fernando (left arm bat, opening bat), Hiroshi
Abeysinghe (spinner), Gayathri Kariyawasam (fast bowler), Thanuja Ekanayake
(wicket keeper) Sandamali Dolewatte, Rose Fernando, Janakanthi Mala, Randika
Galhenage, Vasanthi Ratnayake, Lalani Priyadarshani (right arm fast bowler),
Indika Kankanage (right arm fast bowler and middle order batsman). |
